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Anyone doubting the impact a premier player, even one that isn't a quarterback, can make in the NFL needed only to have watched the Green Bay Packers against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

After warm-ups, the Lions found out that Calvin Johnson wouldn't play because of knee soreness that had bothered him all week. He's the league's best receiver, and without him the Lions' offense was toothless until garbage time in the Packers' 22-9 win at Lambeau Field.

"That's like a day without Aaron Rodgers," said Packers cornerback Davon House of the Lions playing without their best offensive player. ...